Your SEVIS record can be transferred to Stratford after you have been accepted by Stratford and have met the SEVIS requirements. You must first submit your Application for Admission and academic transcripts to the ISO. The ISO will give you a letter of acceptance and a SEVIS record transfer request. You must give these documents to your current university to complete the transfer. After your record has been transferred and you have registered for classes, you will be issued a new Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) by Stratford University.

You can transfer up to 50% of the credits required for a graduate degree and 75% percent of the credits required for an undergraduate degree. For instance, the typical Master's degree is 12 courses (54 quarter credits). You can transfer up to 6 courses into this degree from an accredited institution. Courses eligible for transfer must match the target degree requirements and meet the minimum academic performance requirements.

You must first submit an Application for Admission, academic transcripts, proof of language proficiency, standardized academic test scores (GRE or GMAT), proof of financial support, copy of passport, and application fee (US $50) to Stratford University. Students transferring from other accredited institutions are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores.

Stratford has not established pre-defined GRE or GMAT cut-off scores. The application package is reviewed as a whole (transcripts, test scores, work experience, life achievements) to determine your potential for academic success. Undergraduate students are not required to submit standardized academic test scores. Proof of financial support requires that you have sufficient funds to pay your first academic year's expenses.

After review of your academic and financial documents, Stratford will issue a letter of acceptance and Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20).

International students must prove language proficiency by taking either a TOEFL or IELTS language test. The cut-off score for TOEFL is 79 (IBT) or 213 (CBT). The cut-off for IELTS is 6.5-band. This requirement is waived for students whose native language is English or who have obtained a degree in an English-speaking country. Students who do not meet the language proficiency requirements will be required to attend an ESL program prior to starting their academic courses.

After you have been accepted by Stratford University, you must pay your SEVIS fees (currently US $200). You are then required to apply for your Student Visa at the local US Consulate office. You will be required to appear for a personal interview at a time set by the Consulate office.

The Consulate will provide a list of required documents. This list will include: your letter of acceptance, proof of financial support, Form I-20, and proof of SEVIS fee payment (Form I-901). Other supporting documents may be useful and are recommended by Stratford, including: statement of purpose, academic transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation.

At the interview, you must clearly explain why you selected Stratford for your education. If you are approved by the Consular Officer, the Consulate will issue your student Visa.

Support for the first academic year must be in available assets such as a checking account or savings account. In the case of Stratford University, you must have assets to cover the tuition for the first three ten-week quarters (one academic year) and the associated living expenses for 7.5 months

Total cash requirements to cover the first academic year are shown on the table below. This table assumes that graduate students take two courses (9 credits) per quarter and undergraduate students take three classes (13.5 credits) per quarter at the current tuition of $370 per credit for undergraduate courses, $445 per credit for graduate courses and $3750 per quarter for ESL. Living expenses are assumed to be $1000 per month.

Subsequent academic years can be demonstrated by providing letters or other documentation verifying ongoing anticipated earnings such as salary or investment income, or other assets that will demonstrate your ability to fund your program for the entire duration of the program.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a program designed to track the status of all non-immigrant Visa holders. Stratford's International Student Office uses this system to issue the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) and to report enrollment status, address changes, authorized employment, and authorized leave. The status of dependents (if included on the I-20) is also reportable. It is important to notify the ISO of any of these reportable changes within 10 business days.

No. You must pay your tuition and fees prior to the beginning of each quarter. Proof of financial support requires that you have enough funds in the bank to pay your first year's expenses, as shown on your Financial Support Document. All tuition and fees payments will be made to Stratford University after you have arrived in the US.

If you defer your start date at Stratford, you must request the ISO to issue you a new Form I-20 with revised dates. You must submit this request within 60 days of your start date or your Form I-20 will be cancelled. If your Form I-20 is cancelled, you will be required to apply for a new Visa. If your Form I-20 is revised in a timely manner, you will not need a new Visa.

During your course of study, you may want to take a break and travel for a holiday or visit your family. If your travel plans involve leaving the United States, you must complete the Stratford Authorization for Leave Form and obtain an approval signature on your Form I-20 prior to your departure. If you do not have the travel authorization signature on the Form I-20, you will not be allowed to re-enter US.

You may travel during Optional Practical Training (OPT). Since you are still using an F-1 Visa, you must obtain a travel authorization signature on the Form I-20 prior to your departure. Upon re-entry, you may be required to present the endorsed Form I-20, your Employment Authorization Card (EAD), and letter from your employer authorizing the leave.

The Social Security Number (SSN) is issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). International F-1 Visa holders are required to be legally employed before they can apply for the SSN. Contact the local SSA office to apply for a SSN.

International students should open a bank account with a local US bank soon after their arrival. Opening a bank account allows students to establish a secure and convenient mode of accessing and managing money. The majority of the transactions, including grocery shopping, can be completed with a credit or debit card. The nearest bank to the main campus is located within walking distance.

We are focusing on real-life experiences in the classroom. Professors share how they experience particular situations in their profession and what decisions they've had to make. This makes me more confident and prepares me for the real-world.

Natalia Bogdanova
,
Bulgaria

I'm taking fundamentals of baking, taught by Chef Brett, who is a great teacher and knows what he is doing! We have been baking cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and many types of bread. I have learned so much in just 5 weeks!

Maria Paula Quintana
,
Colombia

I chose the MS in Information Systems program because in my old school we didn't have many online resources, most things were done offline. Kazakhstan is behind in information technology, so once I get my Master's degree I want to go back and contribute to the IT aspect of my Country's development.

Kamilya Nurgaliyeba
,
Kazakhstan

Before I came to the United States, I was working at a mining company and a travel company... but I decided I want to have my own business. I enrolled in the MBA program to develop my skills and capabilities. That's why I came to Stratford!

Enerel Chuluunbat
,
Mongolia

The United States is an organized country, most things are easy to understand, easy to follow. Teaching methods at Stratford make classes very interesting. I want to be a university professor and spread this education concept in my home country too.